EP1334043B1

EP1334043B1 - Carton and carton blank

Info

Publication number: EP1334043B1
Application number: EP01988689A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Blin
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems LLC
Current assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems LLC
Priority date: 2000-10-20
Filing date: 2001-10-18
Publication date: 2005-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-18
Also published as: MXPA03003461A; EP1334043A1; DE60116367D1; ATE314280T1; AR038763A1; ES2255581T3; GB0025770D0; JP2004512237A; DE60116367T2; DK1334043T3; JP3949579B2; WO2002034639A1; AU2002224438A1

Description

The invention relates to a carton and a blank for forming a carton for packaging one or more articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wraparound carton that is adapted to receive articles with different diameters.

It is well known to use wraparound cartons having a top receiving aperture and a top tab defining a part of the top of the receiving aperture. For example, in US 4 215 781 the top tab is formed in part of the carton top wall. The top tab has opposed side edges defined by a pair of slits extending from the aperture 29 into the top wall. Similar slits are shown in US 3 429 496 and FR 2 488 857. The top tabs are designed to extend outwardly beyond the top of the bottles contained therein so as to protect the articles.

A problem associated with the prior art is that articles of the same design will inevitably have varying diameters due to the low tolerances in the formation of the primary article. With known wraparound cartons, those bottles having the largest diameter variation make it very difficult to lock the pack and/or the pack will tear at weak points in the carton resulting in a loss of rigidity or even the pack tearing open, which is undesirable.

US3,416,654 illustrates one example of a carton with an article cover tab formed in the top wall and connected thereto by elevator tabs. FR 1,429, 770 illustrates a retention structure formed in adjacent side wall panels.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art by providing a wraparound carton that absorbs the differences of diameters in the same bottle.

A first aspect of the invention provides a carton for holding one or more articles the carton comprising a plurality of wall panels for forming a top wall, opposed side walls and a base wall, the top wall being so arranged as to cover at least in part the upper surface of the article or articles, the carton further includes one or more article retaining structures, the or each article retaining structure comprising an article retaining tab characterised in that the or each article retaining tab is defined at least in part by a tear line formed at least in part in one of the wall panels , the tear line including one or more nick connecting portions so as to enable the carton to be adaptable for articles of different dimensions.

Preferably, the article retaining tab has a free edge, and the tear line extends continuously with the free edge to define opposed side edges of the article retaining tab, which tear line terminates at an inner end of the retaining tab, which inner end is spaced from an adjacent side edge of the one wall panel.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each article retaining structure further comprises a pair of flaps which flaps are hinged along fold lines to a wall panel adjacent the one wall panel, which flaps are separable by a cut line which cut line extends from a point between the fold lines towards the article-retaining tab.

Preferably, each of the flaps is hinged along an arcuate fold line.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each retaining tab is progressively displaceable out of the plane of the one carton wall so that the size of each article retaining structure is flexible thereby to vary the retention characteristics of each retaining structure.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a retaining tab that is substantially "C" shaped.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed in the top wall defining at least in part a top receiving aperture wherein the retaining tab is adapted to abut the top of an article held in the carton.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining structure is formed in part in a bottom wall of the carton and in part in a wall adjacent to the bottom wall.

Alternatively, there further comprises a second article retaining flap formed in one of the side walls defining at least a part of an article support structure for the lower portion of an article held in the carton.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed in one of the side walls defining at least a part of an article support structure for a lower portion of an article held in the carton.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed from adjacent portions of a top or base wall and side wall, the portion struck from the side or base wall defining at least a part of the pair of flaps hinged to the side or base wall.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, each pair of flaps is progressively displaceable out of the plane of the adjacent wall panel, so that the size of the article retaining structure is expansible to further vary the retention characteristics of each article retaining structure ..

A second aspect of the invention provides a blank for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles comprising a plurality of wall panels for forming a top wall, opposed side walls and a base wall, the blank further includes one or more article retaining structures, the or each retaining structure comprising (i) an article retaining tab the blank characterised in that the or each article retaining tab is defined at least in part by a tear line formed at least in part in one of said wall panels, the tear line including one or more nick connecting portions so as to enable a carton constructed from the blank to be adaptable for articles of different dimensions.

Alternatively, the or each article retaining tab has a free edge, and the tear line extends continuously with the free edge to define opposed side edges of the or each article retaining tab, terminates at an inner end of the article retaining tab, which inner end is spaced from an adjacent side edge of the one wall panel.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the or each article retaining structure further comprises a pair of flaps, which flaps are hinged along fold lines to an other wall panel, which other wall panel is adjacent one wall panel, the flaps being separable by a cut line which cut line extends from a point between the fold lines towards the article retaining tab.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a tab that is substantially "U" shaped.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a tab that is substantially "C" shaped.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed in the top wall panel defining at least in part a top receiving aperture.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed in one of the side wall panels defining at least a part of an article support structure comprising the flaps.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention, the article retaining tab is formed from adjacent portions of a side wall and top or base wall, the portion struck from the side or base wall defining at least a part of the pair of flaps hinged to the side or base wall.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

FIGURE 1 is a blank for forming a carton according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a wraparound carton formed from the blank of Figure 1;

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate one embodiment of the retaining tab of an upper article retaining structure;

FIGURE 5 is an embodiment of the retaining tab applied to the article support structure;

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a second embodiment of retaining tab for the upper article retaining structure.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, and in particular Figure 1, there is shown a blank for forming a carton, for example a wraparound carton, made from paperboard or similar foldable sheet material. Although in this embodiment there is illustrated a single part blank, it is envisaged that the carton can be formed from two or more blanks without departing from the scope of invention. The invention can be applied to different carton types for example basket carrier or end loaded carton, where it is required to package one or more articles with varying tolerances.

The first embodiment of the invention is applied to the blank 10 of Figure 1. The blank 10 comprises a plurality of panels for forming the wraparound carton. In this embodiment, there comprises in series, first base panel 12, a side wall panel 14, a top panel 20, a second side wall panel 22 and a second base panel 28 hingedly connected together in series along

fold lines

30, 32, 34 and 36. Each

side wall panel

14, 22 may comprise upper and lower parts, so that the first side wall panel 14 comprises lower side panel 16 hingedly connected to an upper side panel 18 along fold line 38. Likewise, second side wall panel 22 comprises an upper side panel 24 hingedly connected to a lower side panel 26 along fold line 40.

Base wall may include an intermediate panel 42 hingedly connected to side wall panel 14 along interrupted fold line 30 and to base panel 12 along fold line 44. The intermediate panel 42 is interrupted by article support means 46. In this embodiment, the article support means 46 is described in more detail by reference to Figure 5. Article support means 46 comprises a first flap 48. First flap 48 may comprise upper and

lower flap portions

50, 52. Upper portion 50 is hinged to intermediate panel 42 along fold line 56. Lower portion 52 is hinged to base panel 12 along fold line 54 and to upper portion along fold line 58. First flap 48 is struck from intermediate panel 42 and base panel 12 by an upper cut line 60, central cut line 62 and bottom cut line 64 and is pivotal about hinged

connections

54, 56. Cut line 60 is preferably arcuate.

Similarly, a complementary second flap 65 is provided which comprises upper and

lower flap portions

66, 68 respectively.

In this embodiment of the invention, second flap 65 is a mirror image of first flap 48 along a plane through cut line 62. Therefore, the second flap 65 is not described in any greater detail. Of course, they need not necessarily be mirror images, and indeed only one flap might be provided in a given article and support separation means. Also it is envisaged that where two flaps are provided, they need not abut along cut line 62 and, indeed a significant gap could be provided between the flaps, for example. In use an article receiving aperture 55 is defined in part by the

flaps

48 and 65.

It is envisaged that the article support means could be dispensed with without departing from the scope of invention. In such an embodiment, it would be preferable to include an aperture struck from one or more of the side wall panel, intermediate panel or base wall panel. Although an aperture is not essential for the invention.

In one class of embodiments, there further comprises one or

more tear lines

45, 49 extending from an edge of aperture 55 into lower side panel 16. In the embodiment illustrated, the tear lines 45, 49 define a retaining tab 53 that, in use, is adapted to flex thereby to provide support for an article held in the article support means. The tab 53 is substantially "U" shaped, although it could be "C" shaped. Alternatively, the retaining tab could be defined by a single tear line, without departing from the scope of invention.

The tear line(s) 45, 49 may be provided with a plurality of

nick connecting portions

47, 51, used to improve the solidity of the retaining tab 53 with respect to the lower side panel 16. The operation of the retaining tab 53 will be described in more detail below.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, there are three article support means provided with a pair of

flaps

48, 65; 67, 69; 70, 72 struck from the intermediate panel 42 and base panel 12 to receive three articles A (Figure 2). Each pair of

flaps

67, 69; 70, 72 is preferably in alignment, as shown in Figure 2.

Likewise, on the other side of the carton C illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, there is a second intermediate panel 74 connected to lower side panel 26 along interrupted fold line 36 and to a second base panel 28 along fold line 76. The intermediate panel 74 is interrupted by article support means being substantially the same as the article support means 46 formed from

panels

42 and 12, illustrated in Figure 5, described above, and is therefore not described in any greater detail. Thus, three pairs of

flaps

78, 80, 82 are struck from the intermediate panel 74 and base panel 28 to receive three articles A. The position of each pair of flaps is, in this embodiment, aligned with each article support means of the corresponding

panels

42 and 12.

Optionally, three apertures 84 are struck from base panel 12, each aperture extending from the lower edges of respective ones of pairs of

flaps

48, 65; 67, 69; 70, 72. Likewise, three apertures 86 are struck from base panel 28, each aperture extending from the lower edges of respective ones of pairs of

flaps

78, 80, and 82. In use, these

apertures

84, 86 are used by a mechanism in packaging machinery to pull the base panels of the carton around the articles.

Securing means is provided to secure inner and

outer base panels

12, 28 together. For example, glue may be used, although preferably, one or

more retaining tabs

88, 90 are struck from base panel 12 and complementary pairs of locking

tabs

92, 94 are struck from second base panel 28. In this embodiment, the locking tabs 94 and retaining tabs 90 are able to lock in different positions, depending upon the size of the articles. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other methods of interlocking the base panels together during construction can be adopted and the invention is not limited to locking tabs illustrated in the embodiments.

Turning to the top part of the carton, there may further comprise opposing

end wall panels

96, 98 hingedly connected to top panel 20 along

fold lines

100 and 102 respectively. In order to assist in forming the

end wall panels

96 and 98, they may each be connected to opposing

upper side panels

18 and 24 respectively. More preferably,

gusset panels

104 and 106 hingedly interconnect end wall panel 96 to the respective

upper side panel

18 and 24 along

fold lines

108, 110; and 112, 114 respectively. Likewise, end wall panel 98 is provided with an arrangement of gusset panels that is the same as end wall panel 96 so like reference numerals have been used with the addition of the letter "a". In use, the end wall panels prevent the articles from being inadvertently removed from the open ends of the carton.

The top panel 20 may further comprise handle means, which is provided, in this embodiment, by a pair of opposed finger apertures struck from top panel 20. The apertures are preferably provided with

cushioning tabs

116, 118 hingedly interconnected to the top panel 20 as is well known. It is envisaged that in other classes of embodiment other known hand or finger engaging means may be provided to facilitate lifting of the carton by an end user.

In order to retain an upper part T of the article, top retaining aperture 150 is provided which will now be described in greater detail, by reference to Figures 1, 3 and 4. Along an upper edge of the article retaining aperture 150 there comprises a retaining tab 144 which is formed in part by one or

more tear lines

146, 148.

In this embodiment there are two

tear lines

146, 148 extending from an edge 142 of aperture 150 into top panel 20. The tear lines define a retaining tab 144 that, in use, is adapted to flex thereby to provide support for the top of an article in the article receiving aperture 150. The tab 144 is substantially "C" shaped, although it could be another shape, for example "U" shape. The tear lines 146, 148 may be provided with a plurality of

nick connecting portions

147, 149, used to improve the rigidity of the retaining tab with respect to top wall panel 20.

In the embodiments of Figures 1, 3 and 4, the top retaining aperture 150 is provided along opposing edges with upper retaining structure 120 comprising

flaps

132, 138 that are hingedly connected to side wall panel 18 along

fold lines

134 and 144 respectively. In this embodiment, fold

lines

134 and 140 are shaped to be a shallow curve. The

flaps

132 and 138 may abut and are separated by cut line 136. It will be seen from Figure 3 that retaining tab 144 is separated from

flaps

132 and 138 by a cut line 142. Of course, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the retaining tabs are spaced from

flaps

132, 138 by aperture 150 and the blank 10 comprises six upper retaining

structures

120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130.

An alternative embodiment of retaining tab is shown in Figures 6 and 7, where like parts have been designated by the same reference numeral with the prefix "2" and only the differences are discussed in any greater detail. It will be seen that retaining tab 244 is defined by a single tear line 246, which is preferably curved. The retaining tab 244 is spaced from the flaps 232, 23 8 by aperture 250.

Turning to the construction of the completed carton, illustrated in Figure 2, the blank 10 requires a series of sequential folding and securing operations which can be performed in a straight line machine so that the carton is not required to be rotated or inverted to complete its construction. The folding process is not limited to that described below and can be altered according to particular manufacturing requirements.

The first step is for articles A, for example bottles, to be grouped together in an array. In this embodiment, there comprises six bottles arranged in two rows of three bottles each, although other arrays are envisaged. The blank is introduced to the bottles, by relative vertical movement between the bottles and the blank during forward feed movement as is well known in the art by which the bottles enter their respective apertures 150 of the upper article retaining structures wherein the bottle tops T come into abutment with the top panel 20.

In those embodiments with

flaps

132, 138, they are folded out of alignment with their adjacent

upper side panel

18, 24 along

fold lines

134, 140, so that the top T of the article protrudes therethrough, as shown in Figure 2.

The

side panels

14 and 22 are folded inwardly along

fold lines

32 and 34 respectively into an angular relationship with top panel 20 such that

upper side panels

18 and 24 taper downwardly and outwardly from top panel 20.

Thereafter the

end wall panels

96, 98 are formed whereby

end wall panels

96, 98 are folded inwardly along

fold lines

100, 102 and

gusset panels

104, 106; 104a, 106a are folded along

fold lines

110, 108; 112, 114 to form a face contacting arrangement with the respective ones of the

upper side panels

18, 24. Thus, the

end wall panels

96, 98 are in substantially perpendicular arrangement with top panel 20. Optionally, glue may be applied to the face of the

gusset panels

104, 106 in contact with the

upper side panels

18, 24 to hold the

end wall panels

96, 98 in place.

The article retaining means 46 is then formed by folding each pair of

flaps

48, 65 inwardly along

fold lines

54 and 56 respectively and the

base panels

12, 28 and

intermediate panels

42, 74 out of alignment with

side wall panels

14 and 22 respectively such that the

flaps

48, 65 are brought into contact with the articles A such that the article protrudes through the aperture 55 formed by the article retaining means and is held in position by the

tabs

48, 65 of the retaining means, as shown in Figure 2.

Base panels

12 and 28 are brought into overlapping relationship and connected together by locking

tabs

92, 94 and corresponding retaining

tabs

88, 90 as is well known.

If the articles A are a smaller dimension then when the

base panels

12, 28 are secured together, they will be pulled tighter around the bottles A which will in turn pull the

side wall panels

14, 22 in a downward direction. In those embodiments with retaining tabs 144, the tabs 144 will be moved out of alignment with top panel 20 for those articles that are larger in size or diameter by tearing along the

tear lines

146, 148. Similarly, in those embodiments with lower retaining tabs 53, they may be torn along

tear lines

45, 49 thereby to allow the retaining

tabs

53, 144 to be flexed for those embodiments with larger sized articles in the retaining structure..

By providing locking and engaging

tabs

94, 90 that can lock in different positions and article retaining structures 120, the result is the tubular structure thereby formed can vary in size of cross-sectional area. Therefore, for articles of a smaller dimension, the tubular structure is reduced cross-sectional area to maintain a tight pack. Of course, for those bottles with a larger diameter, the tubular structure of the present invention would be formed with a larger cross-sectional area. Thus, the pack is provided which can flex if the size of article varies, without destroying its integrity.

It is an advantage of the present invention to apply it to known wraparound cartons for the same designed bottles but with varying diameters. Accordingly, it is envisaged that the retaining tabs and tear lines can be applied to a range of known cartons, where it is likely that the article diameter will vary. Furthermore, it is envisaged that in some embodiments, the retaining tab need only be applied to the top of the carrier, or alternatively the lower retaining means, without departing from the scope of invention.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "base", "end", "side", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of one of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line, without departing from the scope of invention.

It should be understood that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape, alternative top and base closure structures may be used. A single article receiving structure may be provided in some embodiments, and in other embodiments a linear array of additional apertures may be provided in each of the article receiving structures such that the carton may accommodate more than one article. Additional panel(s) may be provided between the main and transverse article receiving panels so as to form a curved interface there between.

Claims

A carton for holding one or more articles (A) the carton comprising a plurality of wall panels for forming a top wall (20), opposed side walls (14, 22) and a base wall (12), said top wall being so arranged as to cover at least in part the upper surface of said article or articles, said carton further includes one or more article retaining structures, the or each article retaining structure (120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130) comprising an article retaining tab (144) characterised in that the or each article retaining tab is defined at least in part by a tear line (146, 148) formed at least in part in one of said wall panels , said tear line including one or more nick (147, 149) connecting portions so as to enable the carton to be adaptable for articles of different dimensions.
A carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein said article retaining tab has a free edge (142), and the tear line extends continuously with said free edge to define opposed side edges of said article retaining tab, which tear line terminates at an inner end of the retaining tab, which inner end is spaced from an adjacent side edge of said one wall panel.
A carton as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each article retaining structure further comprises a pair of flaps (132, 138) which flaps are hinged along fold lines (134, 140) to a wall panel adjacent said one wall panel, which flaps are separable by a cut line (136) which cut line extends from a point between said fold lines towards said article-retaining tab.
A carton according to claim 3, wherein each of said flaps is hinged along an arcuate fold line.
A carton as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each retaining tab is progressively displaceable out of the plane of said one carton wall so that the size of each article retaining structure is flexible thereby to vary the retention characteristics of each retaining structure.
A carton as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a retaining tab that is substantially "C" shaped.
A carton as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article retaining tab is formed in the top wall defining at least in part a top receiving aperture wherein the retaining tab is adapted to abut the top of an article held in the carton.
A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the article retaining structure is formed in part in a bottom wall of the carton and in part in a wall adjacent to said bottom wall.
A carton as claimed in claim 6 wherein there further comprises a second article retaining flap (132, 138) formed in one of the side walls defining at least a part of an article support structure for the lower portion of an article held in the carton.
A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the article retaining tab is formed in one of the side walls defining at least a part of an article support structure for a lower portion of an article held in the carton.
A carton as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the article retaining tab is formed from adjacent portions of a top or base wall and side wall, the portion struck from the side or base wall defining at least a part of the pair of flaps hinged to the side or base wall.
A carton as claimed in any of claims 3 to 9 wherein each pair of flaps is progressively displaceable out of the plane of said adjacent wall panel, so that the size of the article retaining structure is expansible to further vary the retention characteristics of each article retaining structure..
A blank (10) for forming a carton for holding a plurality of articles (A) comprising a plurality of wall panels for forming a top wall (20), opposed side walls (14, 22) and a base wall, said blank further includes one or more article retaining structures, the or each said retaining structure comprising (i) an article retaining tab (132, 138) the blank characterised in that the or each article retaining tab is defined at least in part by a tear line (146, 148) formed at least in part in one of said wall panels , said tear line including one or more nick (147, 149) connecting portions so as to enable a carton constructed from the blank to be adaptable for articles of different dimensions.
A blank as claimed in claim 11, wherein the or each article retaining tab has a free edge (142), and the tear line extends continuously with said free edge to define opposed side edges of the or each article retaining tab, terminates at an inner end of said article retaining tab, which inner end is spaced from an adjacent side edge of said one wall panel.
A blank as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the or each article retaining structure further comprises a pair of flaps, which flaps are hinged along fold lines to an other wall panel, which other wall panel is adjacent said one wall panel, the flaps being separable by a cut line which cut line extends from a point between said fold lines towards said article retaining tab.
A blank as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a tab that is substantially "U" shaped.
A blank as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the tear line is inwardly arcuate to define a tab that is substantially "C" shaped.
A blank as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 wherein the article retaining tab is formed in the top wall panel defining at least in part a top receiving aperture.
A blank as claimed in any of claims 11-16 wherein the article retaining tab is formed in one of the side wall panels defining at least a part of an article support structure comprising said flaps.
A blank as claimed in any of claims 11 - 18 wherein the article retaining tab is formed from adjacent portions of a side wall and top or base wall, the portion struck from the side or base wall defining at least a part of the pair of flaps hinged to the side or base wall.